Analysis Essay, Act 1 scene 4 – Romeo and Juliet :
”I fear too early, for my mind missives
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars reference to heaven, What the heavens have as Romeo’s fait
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels, and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But he that hath the steerage of my course,comparing himself to a ship with God as the captain, God is steering him in the course of death.
Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen”
Some consequence yet hanging in the stars reference to heaven, What the heavens have as Romeo’s fait
Shall bitterly begin his fearful date
With this night’s revels, and expire the term
Of a despised life closed in my breast
By some vile forfeit of untimely death.
But he that hath the steerage of my course,comparing himself to a ship with God as the captain, God is steering him in the course of death.
Direct my sail. On, lusty gentlemen”
The in this are metaphor’s…
Hanging in the stars: This means his fait is hanging in the stars. and when Romeo and Juliet die they will hang in the stars in heaven.
The steerage of his course: God is the captain of this ship and is steering Romeo into heaven.
How does Shakespeare use metaphor to show Romeo’s inner thoughts in act 1 scene 4?
Shakespeare uses many metaphors in the play “Romeo and Juliet.” This is to show each of the character’s inner thinking.
Romeo expresses his dream in such an intense way that you get the feeling he is very passionate about love and idealistic about life. Romeo refers to his dream as a journey that God is in control of.”But he that hath the steerage of my course.” Romeo has placed his trust in God to provide for his life. If Romeo’s life is a ship then God is the captain directing his path. The Catholic church was a important part of society and played a role in people’s lives.
Romeo feels that his night is the beginning of his journey to death. That fait has it for him to meet Juliet and somehow for this is will lead to his “Untimely” death. Romeo’s dream states that god is guiding Romeo in the path of death leading him to hang in heaven with the stars. Fait is talking to Romeo through his dream.
In this scene the dream says “He that Hath steerage of my course, direct my sail.” Shakespeare is referring to God sailing Romeo to his fait and Romeo is the ship this means Romeo is in Gods hands. There are two clues that show Shakespeare is referring to God. The first clue is that god is not a person so you never call God a who. God is a “He that hatch” The second clue is the use of the capital “H” in “He”. Shakespeare in this metaphor is explaining that Romeo is calling himself a ship and God is the captain. Romeo knows that God has plotted out this path for him. Romeo is going to let himself be steered by God.
